Definition of oil yellow
1 often capitalized O&Y
a : any of several oil-soluble yellow dyes
b or oil yellow II : a carcinogenic azo dye C6H5N2C6H4N(CH3)2 formerly used in coloring butter and oils; para-dimethyl-aminoazobenzene
— called also butter yellow, methyl yellow
2 : a moderate greenish yellow that is greener and duller than citron yellow and deeper than linden green
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